Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

Hello all,

I am seriously considering setting up an aquaponics location on my 5 acre hobby farm. If anyone is in the immediate area within say 20 miles(ZIP 32669) and has some good information please post up or message me it would be very helpful I think. My wife is still on the fence so I am thinking nothing over a 1,500 gallon tank to start with and cost is going to be a big factor.

I am not afraid to do hours of research on the nets and fiber glass is looking like the way to go for the tanks and beds. I have been looking over raft systems that are being developed in Hawaii using liners and support framing which seems like the most cost effective way to have the grow beds. The main problems I will bump into is that this section of Florida can get to as low as (0) degrees to as high as (110) degrees. I am thinking a fish house is going to have to be used.

I have access to a fair amount of construction tooling and a 32hp tractor with a front loader. ambition is on tap year round. Cash/time not so much.

side hobbies include:
cooking
baking
candy making
butcher
low voltage electronics
general fix it DIY

Good morning and welcome CLM, there is no shortage of reading matter here, so you can do as much research as you like. A greenhouse may be the way to help out those cold conditions.
You should fit in here with your list of hobbies, so lucklily you have come to the right place. Warning this hobby is waaay addictive, but it sounds like it is already too late for you. Pictures are a prerequisite and toes are the measure of scale

Greenhouse is really looking like the way but I am afraid of the hot summers here cooking everything let alone the cost os constructing such a monster. Looking at probably a 30 x 60 ft building if it is to include everything I want. Anyone attempted contruction on that scale from scrap materials?

Welcome CLM1981!

Do you already have a small system going? It may be worth your while to get a couple of IBC totes and set up a small system, to help learn and to keep the interest going as the big system is planned and setup. Have you seen this already for ideas? :

http://www.backyardaquaponics.com/compo ... e/180.html

To get my wife on board, I rendered my layout on sketchup, and showed her all the pretty pictures in the "IBC's of Aquaponics" pdf! She loved the idea of not having to buy and store all of the veggies for the week, but to be able to go out to the growbeds and pick them. I am starting with an IBC and barrel system. I am breaking ground in a few days! I believe the shetchup rendering helped put it in context for her.

I have read through the IBC guide that was posted here but I want something more stream lined that I can turn commerical if I can make it viable the biggest obstacle is convincing my wife that outside is "OK" and that the bugs of Florida will not carry her off into the sunset

I have been looking at the potable water tanks that a tractor store sells close to my home they are normally green or black and go for right at 600$usd for 1500gallons of water storage has anyone had expiernce with these?

Welcome to the board CLM1981! I live not to far from you (north of you south of lake city) anyway if you need any help feel free to pm me. I have a moderately sized system and plans for a commercial size after a few months. I would recommend starting with a small system to convince the wife. It will save you from flack in the first few months when she doesn't see anything growing. Anyway if you want to talk just shoot me a pm and we can work on it.

Hi CLM1981,
Welcome to BYAP!